It is hard to imagine but ten years has past by since Operation Forbidden Fruit occurred. In late October 1999, eight USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspectors, including two supervisors were arrested on charges of bribery and corruption. On a personal note, I was one of the replacement inspectors called in that day, to continue inspections at the […]
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One topic that is on the training agenda year after year for the USDA Inspectors is the topic of size involving tomatoes. I’ll try my best to keep this short, clear, and easy to understand. Tomatoes are designated in size by two different methods. You may see your tomatoes being marked as Small, Medium, Large, or Extra Large. […]
When inspecting pears, especially the summer and fall varieties, such as Bartletts, you may come across different types of scarring, ranging in color and in size. The affected areas may be smooth, or they may be slightly rough to rough, to the touch. The discoloration may range from a light brown color to a dark […]
As I roamed the produce aisles of our local grocery store yesterday I saw displays of new crop apples. You may still be receiving some varieties of last year’s crop, as the growers begin to clean out their controlled atmosphere storage rooms. With the storage apples you may encounter a few apples with moldy stems, […]
The defect scoring of green onions, especially identifying discolored tops from decayed tops may get a little confusing, even for experienced inspectors. With the green onions being packed in ice, to ensure their freshness, a side effect is the watersoaked and glassy appearance caused by the melting ice. These watersoaked tops will sometimes be scored […]
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The one thing I have always loved about the fresh produce industry is the unexpected. During a recent training class, where I had opened the session up to questions of all kind, I was asked if new top growth was a defect for topped carrots. Not wanting to guess I opened up the USDA Inspection Instructions […]
When inspecting peaches, or any stone fruit, there are a few defects you should always be on the look out for. Decayed spots, soft areas from being overripe, and bruising. Bruising is the most common defect found on peaches, and peaches packed in volume-filled containers have a better chance of becoming bruised than tray pack […]
A few years ago the USDA published a standard for sno peas, or any type of edible pea pod. The standard is titled U.S. Grade Standards for Pea Pods. When inspecting sno peas there are usually a few defects you would be on the look out for. You would immediately notice the freshness, looking for […]
For those of us living on the east coast this has been an extremely wet, rainy season. The rain kept coming over and over and it has prevented many growers from applying fungicides to their tomato plants. This problem was amplified this year due to the fact that many nurseries selling tomato transplants had their plants affected […]
Some years are worse than others for hollow heart. This year appears to be one of those years. Hollow heart in watermelons is caused by a quick growth burst, usually brought on by heavy rainfall. Hollow heart is usually found in the larger melons, but it may be found in the smaller sizes as well. […]